Bailey knew it wasn't a good idea, but he couldn't help himself.
He talked himself into looking up Sam after all this time. Not at the
last minute he was getting cold feet. A man who'd never lost his head
under fire. Who'd served two tours in Nam. Was losing his cool over
seeing an old friend.

He turned off his truck and switched off the head lights. He should have
called first. But some how he thought it would be better if he just showed
up on her door step. He rubbed a hand over his face, it had been two
years since he'd last seen her. He wondered if she had changed at
all. He knew he had, all the worry over the VCTF's budget had added
some grey to his temples. Losing Rachel after defending her to the
Powers that be hadn't been a walk in the park either. But he'd saved
his little group from the accounts ax. He was the primary profiler now
but at least there still was a VCTF.

Bailey took a deep breath and let it out slowly, he checked his reflection
in his review mirror. He was running out ways to stall himself. So he
pocketed the keys and opened the door. He took another deep breath
on his way to the door. It was just dusk, so he was fairly sure Sam would
be home. She was a stickler about spending as much time with Chloe
as possible now.

Bailey rang the bell, and waited. He knew he could be catching in the
middle of fixing dinner. The door swung open, and he saw her standing
in front of him a look of surprise on her lovey face. Her hair was pulled
back, into a tail, she looked younger than ever.
"Bailey! Oh my God!" Sam lifted a hand to her mouth, to keep from
cying out.
"Hi, Sam how have you been?" Great opening line Malone, Bailey chastized
himself as he took in how beautiful Sam looked.

"What are you doing here?" She asked then welcomed him with a hug.
Bailey wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tight, she had always
felt perfect in his arms.
" I was in the area, and I thought I'd stop by and see how you are doing?"
Bailey said, his voice deep and soft in her ear. Sam melted into his embrace
she hadn't known how much she missed his hugs until she was in his arms.
She stayed there, longer than for just a welcome hug. But she knew he
wouldn't mind. Bailey was a master hugger. Always had been.

"I'm so glad you did, wait until Chloe sees you she'll flip. She should be home
from her club meeting in a few minutes." Sam told him while staying in his
embrace. One hand at the base of his strong neck, the other spread wide
over the breadth of his back.

Bailey held her unti she moved away from him. He'd missed having her
in his arms. He was still in love with her, it was one of the reasons he'd
come.

"Bailey come in, let me look at you."Sam stepped back, into her front
hall and looked him over. "You've been taking care of yourself?"

"I've been trying to." Bailey patted his middle, he was ten pounds lighter
than the year before.

"You look handsome as ever." Sam said before realizing she didn't usually
say things like that to him.

Bailey's eyes blinked in surprise. Sam telling him he was handsome?
What was up with that?

"You look good, rested. The country life must agree with you." He smiled
at her and waited to see what came next.

"Can I take your jacket? It's not fall just yet but I don't have the air on.
I'll get you a cold drink." Sam offered to take his suit jacket.

Bailey shrugged out of his jacket and she hung it in the hall colset.
Sam noticed he was wearing a short sleaved shirt under his jacket,
she couldn't recall ever having seen him do so before. His biceps
were huge. She swallowed, when had he gotten so buff?

"The kitchen is this way." Sam stammered, suddenly she was aware
of Bailey like she had never been before. His solid presence behind
her effecting her like a school girl on her first date.

( Ok more? Do you like? Let me know. mardel)